The Detective's Familiar

Familiar Mates #5

by T.J. Nichols

Walking out on his husband, and fated mate, is the hardest thing wolf shifter Sam Carver has ever done.

Detective Mark Buchan knows he’s screwed things up with his husband, but he never expected Sam to leave. Now there’s a killer targeting witches, and Mark is worried he’s next. He needs Sam’s help one last time.

Sam agrees, but only because if Mark dies, he’ll pine away because of the bond. He hasn’t forgiven Mark, and he won’t forget. And the last thing he wants is to fall in love, again, with the man who broke his heart.

This time Mark will do anything to prove to Sam that he’s worth the trouble. Even surrendering his magic.

For readers who like second chance romance, werewolves and fated mates.

Genres: Shapeshifters, Paranormal, M M Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Magic, Urban Fantasy

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2021

About the author

TJ Nichols (they/them) is the author of the Studies in Demonology and Familiar Mates series. They write mostly gay fantasy and paranormal romance, but sometimes gay action/horror as Toby J. Nichols.

After traveling all over the world and Australia, TJ now lives in Perth, Western Australia.

Free gay shifter novella when you join TJ's newsletter: http://tjnichols-author.com/lp/

You can find TJ on
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Reviews

[Mila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just can’t like this book. I just can’t. I can’t condone the breaking of a mate bond and then still staying together. Like, one had to sacrifice part of who he was just to stay with his husband while the other didn’t do shit for him. He spent most of the book being a shithead and selfish and I just don’t like him and I think Marc deserves better.

[Fatimama · Rating 2 out of 5]

They should have broken up. Mark needs to find someone else. Sam sucks

[T.J. Nichols]

This book is closely linked to The Siren's Familiar (book 6). The crime does get solved :)
Now available in audiobook: https://tjnicholsbooks.myshopify.com/...

[AshPenny37 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some comments may be interpreted as spoilers.

Mark (the detective and a witch) and Sam (his wolf shifter familiar) have issues and their marriage is on the rocks; so much so that Sam leaves to spend time with his found pack. The thing is, though, that they have to be able to work together, especially as there are dead witches turning up and they need to find out why.

I've so many mixed feelings about this book. The characters are well developed and, as in real life, they're neither always right nor always wrong, so I wavered from favouring one of the men over the other throughout the book. The crux of the matter is that Sam's in a dark place and can't live with some of the effects of their mating bond. I appreciate that this story deviates from the well-trodden path for fated mates books; but at the same time, there was something about this aspect that just left me a bit dissatisfied. I think this is because there wasn't really an epilogue as such, just a short last chapter which felt like a very abrupt ending to me. It's quite a short novel so there's plenty of scope for developing that 'final act' of how Mark and Sam sort out their differences and what their life together looks like.

The Detective's Familiar is the fifth in the series, and whilst there are references to the previous installment it's not necessary to have read it. My issue is at the other end: I expect large parts of the overall story arc to carry on in the next book, so I guess I'd bill it as an HFN, even though Mark and Sam's arc is done. It's certainly something different, a brave direction for the fated mates trope and, despite being well-written, it just doesn't really work for me. 3*

An ARC was provided by GRR. This is my honest review.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Detective’s Familiar

This story felt sad for me even in the end. I did enjoy the real and rawness to the story and the characters, though.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4 for Goodreads

[I received a digital arc for an honest review]

The Detectives Familiar is the 5th book in TJ Nicholas Familiar Mates series. While each book tends to hold up on their on this one does have a plot line that ties back to and connect to the storyline of the last book, the vets familiar.

This book starts with wolf shifter Sam buckling under the weight of his job and his mating bond and walking away from his husband Mark. When multiple witches turn up dead he has to find a way to work with his husband. Mark has to find out whose targeting witches and how to fix his marriage. He will do anything to fix what's broken between him and Sam even if that means giving up magic.

"I never wanted a familiar. I just wanted you. That hasn't changed."

Sam and Mark broke my heart. Sam was frustrating at times and felt immature, but I still felt his frustration and struggle with the mating bond right from the start. Mark at first wasn't my favorite because Sam from his POV makes it seem like Mark doesn't care. You quickly learn that's not the truth and there is no doubting how much Mark loves him. Mark works hard to fix what he's been doing from and in the end sacrifices a part of himself for their marriage. The only time Sam seemed to not fight with him was when they were in the bedroom and no words were needed.

I think this might be my favorite of the series. These are quick reads and sometimes because of that I'm missing some of the character development, but I didn't find that a problem with this one. I was fully invested in Mark and Sam's story. However, it kind of just ends 🤷‍ I wanted more of Sam and Mark in a positive / healthy stage of their relationship. Let's ignore the fact that the main plot wasn't wrapped up, and they never found out who was actually behind the murders. I'm assuming that will be continued on the next book.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just didn’t like this one as well as the previous four novels. While the characters and storyline are well developed, I just can’t like Sam who is the shifter half of this mate bond. This book is billed as one about second chances. This relationship needed dissolution not a second chance. If I was Mark’s friend, I’d tell him he deserves better than Sam. Sam asks an awful lot from Mark in order for them to get back together but doesn’t seem to make any concessions for him. He asks something of him he admits that he would not do in return for Mark. Sam, who does have a lot of emotional issues including possible PTSD, has no character growth. There is an emotional power imbalance and I never care for that kind of relationship. I think the author had a real chance to explore some relationship issues and mental health issues and show a rocky relationship being rebuilt into a mature and stable one, but they did not take that opportunity.

There are mentions of previous book characters in this one but nothing that you would have to read the others in order to understand (but you should they’re better than this one) but this one’s story is going to arc into the next one. This book is one you have to wade through to get to next hopefully better one.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have changed the rating on this book 10 times since I started typing this review. 4.9, 4.5, 4.75 - it's like I can't make up my mind because :-

I love the writing style of this author! The story flowed very well and kept me captivated all throughout the book. I never even realised that this book is part of a series so it definitely can be read as a standalone.

Honestly the only reason this book is a 4 star and not a 5 is because I didn't really like the resolution of the conflict. I understand why it's like that and it is as realistic as it gets but I wish wish wish that it is different. I would've given it 5 star then.

You know, reading this book has been very interesting in terms of understanding how you feel about certain people based on other people's explanation of them. I thought Mark was a douche canoe based on Sam's thoughts and feelings. Turns out Mark is so in love with Sam and Sam isn't really able to think clearly because of his crisis.

I honestly really really enjoyed this book. It is the type that captures you right from the first page. I finished this in 1 sitting and that is rare nowdays!

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have given this story 6 stars! Mystery, intrigue, real intimacy, and redemption! Not only was the plot cohesive and the characters well-written, but the relational dynamics between Mark and Sam were also believable without being excessive or understated. The long and arduous work of building trust in a fractured relationship is painful and even overwhelming. I have been in their shoes as far as building that trust, so I don't really connect with second chance stories and characters where there is no grappling. People don't just fall back together and all is well. Taking small steps and even retreating several steps is how this works. T.J. Nichols had me so invested in the characters that I couldn't put the book down. While it wasn't wrapped up in a clean little bow at the end, you just knew (or imagined) that Mark and Sam would be incredibly strong in their relationship. They decided what was REALLY important and that was their love for each other--however that is built. Put this on your must-read list.

[Lori S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story feels so ... unfinished. The relationship issue gets resolved, though not in any way that satisfied me. It feels like there was more that should have been explored with the relationship and issues between mates than was actually explored by the author and I felt like we are missing critical pieces of information. Frustrating.

Also, the story itself, about shifters who are potentially killing witches, is left dangling in the wind and it just left this unsatisfied feeling at the end of the story (presumably, The Siren's Familiar will finish off the investigation [it's out in April]). Argh.

[Tess · Rating 2 out of 5]

The balance felt to off for me to really like.

I love the authors works normally but I had real issues with this one. The main characters didn't feel equal it feels like Mark ended up giving up a big part of who/what he is even when Sam acknowledged the fact he wouldn't be willing to do the same.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I raged at the shifter in this book. His hang-ups and his distrust cost his witch his magic. Asshole.
Mark wasn't perfect but he tried his hardest to please Sam.

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark is a witch and a detective in a human police department. Sam is a wolf shifter and a coverup specialist for the Coven, the supernatural agency that regulates non-humans, and keeps their secrets from the human world. Mark and Sam are married, and they’re also mates, joined by a bond that unites their magic and makes Sam Mark’s familiar This novel offers a very different take on the usually idyllic fated mate trope: instead of a source of happiness and stability for the couple, the bond is a source of trauma and despair: Sam feels smothered by the inescapable connection between them, and violated by Mark’s ability, and inclination, to draw on Sam’s magic through their bond. Their lives are also literally linked: the death of one is the death of another, and the weight of that is crushing Sam. Sam’s struggles with the bond and Mark’s struggles to reach out to Sam are heartbreaking-- you can see the love, but also the frustration and despair, between them, as neither know how to fix the relationship that means so much to both of them. If the total upheaval of their personal lives isn’t enough, there’s also the developing case of witches being drained of magic and murdered-- probably by shifters. There’s peril all around-- physical, emotional, and even existential, and it makes for a harrowing reading experience. In the end, the larger mystery is ongoing, but Sam and Mark have found a way to reconnect and restabilize their love, and their relationship, that I really liked: it it isn’t conventional, but it is absolutely the right thing for them, and ultimately, I enjoyed seeing a familiar trope made more complicated, turned on its ear, and finally resolved for an HEA that’s exactly what the protagonists needed.

*An ARC of this book was provided by the author and I have chosen to publish a fair & honest review.*

[Anne Barwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, and I wanted Sam and Mark’s story when I met Sam in The Vet’s Christmas Familiar. This didn’t disappoint, and I enjoyed the mix of paranormal, detective, action/drama and romance. I particularly liked the different approach with this one with one of the already mated couple not wanting that part of their relationship.

I liked how Sam and Mark had completely different reaction to their bond. Mark embraced it, while Sam hated the lack of privacy. Poor Sam also has the added angst of being on the outs with his family and pack for being gay and mating with a witch. I did like the onscreen scenes with him and his dad towards the end of the book though, and the hope for the future that came with it. I thought Sam’s distress, confusion, and PTSD were portrayed very realistically and I could feel the emotions on the page.

I also liked that Mark and Sam still love and want each other, and their magical bond is what is complicating things and not working between them. I thought it said a lot for Mark that he’d do anything for Sam, including giving up his magic, which is very cool, and little different. Mark’s family history isn’t any better than Sam’s, and his father sounds like he was a total tool.

The mystery part of the plot was well thought out, and the confrontation with the bad guy exciting and tense. I liked that there were consequences for what happened, rather than either party walking away unscathed. The world building is fabulous, and I love the details especially the history of the pack and wolves in this story. An extra bonus for me is that this series is set in Australia. There needs to be more urban fantasy/paranormal stories set in the southern hemisphere.

I liked that Sam and Mark’s HEA was different than the other mates in this series.

I enjoyed the glimpse of the Outcast pack and liked Kyle, so am happy these guys are getting their own series, although I still want more of this one too.

[Ruby Zella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark and Sam have such a special relationship but the strain of magic, being fated mates and their jobs are weighing heavily on their relationship. Even when Sam leaves his husband you can feel how much he loves Mark, he is just drowning in their bond (and life). I felt for Mark, he loves Sam and will do anything to get Sam back, even giving up a core of who he was, as Mark didn’t know there was an issue in his relationship or that he was hurting Sam.

Add in witches being targeted and if Mark dies Sam pines. Whilst the action scenes were well written, I felt the book just ended. There wasn’t much of a resolution to the investigation in this book, though assume it will be closed in the following book. I also would of loved more time with Sam and Mark being happy as they fought so hard to stay together. I am eager to see where the next book with Chase goes. Am eager to see where the next book with Chase goes. Note: I hadn’t read the others in the series whilst this could be read as a stand alone, it referred to other characters and stories- so will definitely have to go back and read them before the next book I think 🤔

[Sue Philips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sam and Mark are in crisis. Something has happened to Sam and he has closed off. He's suffering the worst case of depression and it's eating him from the inside. He takes off his wedding ring and after packing his bag he goes to spend some time with his best friend Kyle.
Mark is devastated. He tries to contact Sam through their bond, but gets nothing except anger, hurt, and raw sorrow. Mark also has to deal with a new homicide case - a witch has been found dead in the Yarra River, showing all signs of malnutrition. Turns out this isn't the first one - it's the 5th. And where Sam would usually help Mark, Sam has dropped off the planet.
This story was full of sorrow, grief, loss, guilt, murder, attempted murder, life threatening accidents, betrayals and sacrifice.
T. J. Nichols has pulled everything out of the hat with this story. I cried along with Sam and Mark as they try to come to terms with extremely emotional decisions on both sides. I really felt these two had lost each other for good and when Mark says he wants his magic bond with broken, it appears everything they have ever had together has vanished permanently - or has it!
I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark and Sam story is about second chances, the fact that being fated mates doesn't mean all is settled to happily ever after, but that you still to communicate and being present for your partner as well as trust him and love him, support him and understand him when he has trouble or is suffering. They have to accept that a bond can be stifling and to search ways to make your partner feel cherished, happy and protected. Add to all this mix a killer that murders witches that has a hidden agenda, has great connections a group that creates havoc and you'll have an intriguing story where our characters has to make justice and to overcome personal problems.
It was an interesting read and I'm looking forward to see what happens next.

[caroline wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book and one I loved, it was a bit more than the average fated mates theme and that can go either two ways either your love it or you won't but I happened to enjoy that this wasn't your lovey dovey everything is perfect because your fated but that they had to work and overcome a characters feel of constriction within the bond. Add in the mystery of witches turning up killed, and it was an entertaining read which gave a bit of mystery and emotional angst. All in all I felt the author did a good job balancing the realistic of the situation while also making it entertaining for us readers.
I received this book by the author and this is my honest opinion.

[Lissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few books in this series and so far this has been my favorite. Not your standard romance filled with that adorable kind of love. This story is about a deep love, but with that love and the mate bond comes pain. Sam and Mark work together on a murder case while trying to make things work in their marriage and mate bond. I was surprised with the ending and a bit sad, but that is the good thing about this series. While love wins, it doesn't always look like what you would expect.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!!!

There is a realism to this and it’s what sets it apart from others like it. The magic doesn’t fix everything and sometimes there isn’t a fix just workable solutions. That’s what makes these books such great reads. The emotions are stronger because of it. I love how we got some pretty big clues here and can’t wait to read more.

[Jooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite story of the series so far and only made worse by the narrator who manage to butcher every sentence.

[Patricia Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the storyline, but the execution was kinda meh.

[Hellarious · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s almost expected that I will give this rating, no? Huh.

To be honest, this book took my interest the most from the series, but because of all the reviews I was putting it off.

Now I’ve finally finished it, and it’s not so bad.

I’ve expected to see much more drama and angst here, according to the synopsis and reviews. It scared me silly, but it’s not so bad. Maybe because, as always with this series, I can’t bring myself to feel and fully sympathize with what’s going on?

No, I definitely understand where the drama is. I can see some kind of characters development, and I’m very happy for the couple - being so understanding to each other.

Let’s be honest here, they are both at fault. And it’s quite realistic that not all can be just magical fixed, some things are not going back - it’s life. Too realistic to my liking but good if to be objective.

I can’t say it’s the best ending, but I’m glad they decided to give it a go, to try and fix it. It pained me for them, but I know that it’s not a fairytale where everything just goes to be perfect. Here we have adults with relationships.

I like Mark more, and I saw more of his development. But let’s be honest, Sam was having a trauma and breakdown so - in such a short period, it’s not strange he didn’t change much. He was already making good steps for that situation.

I recommend to try if you are ready for some drama, realism and not perfect world. Quite down to earth romance, even with all the magic stuff around.

Recommend to try, if you feel like it with the synopsis.

[Jocelyn F · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think I've hated a MC more than Sam. This probably has spoilers.. if you don't want, don't read.


He is selfish and seriously only cares about himself. There was so much toxic masculinity BS going on around the need for therapy and some nonsense about Sam was a wolf, he was strong... blah blah blah...

The author could have gone in such a better direction to rebuild a healthy relationship... Marc deserved so much better. Sam didn't put in any sort of work... he saw a therapist but lied because he didn't like what he looked like.. Sam ran away and tried to go feral as a wolf... and couldn't do it... Sam considered what breaking the bind would mean for Marc and decided that if the price was different, if he had to lose his wolf to break the bond, he wouldn't do it. But it was totally coolsies for him to demand that Marc.. his mate, who he supposedly loved, should give up his magic.

I believe that Marc loves Sam, but I don't think that Sam is capable of love. He is too toxic, too selfish, too narcissistic, too unwilling to bend even a little to be able to have any sort of chance at being an adult and a functioning being. He is a toddler in adult form and had absolutely no character growth. There is nothing Sam could do in my eyes to redeem him. I hope Marc wakes up and realizes that he needs to get far, far away from that mess.

Also, you suck for that stupid non-ending BS. I hated this book... with a passion.

[Ravin 104 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I pretty much agree with all the 3 and below reviews that were left.

I hate this couple, they should have broken up and I HATE Sam. Like, not even a "dislike, but understand" kind of thing. I HATE HIM.
I didn't like him in the last book, he was a complete jerk in this book, and I'm so not thrilled that he's in the next book, which I am halfway through and want to kick him.
He's a self-centered jerk. He cares more about "doing the job" than he does about people (even his own mate), and he makes his own mate give up his magic instead of trying for more than a hot minute to get help for what is obviously his own problems.

And, big spoiler, he basically is trying to get the next couple in the next book to do the same thing and get the witches magic stripped. Or not like purposefully, but he's totally ok with it happening to the witch and gives NO SH*TS about it happening and sees it as a totally acceptable outcome.

If he's in further books, I'm gonna have to really consider if I want to continue the series. I just hate him that much.

Other than Sam being one of the most infuriating main characters I've read, the book is well written and the world building is still solid. So, if you can deal with a mate that doesn't want to be a mate, wants to only be a husband, but only on his own terms and when doing real harm to the man he claims to love, then yeah, check it out.

[Fernanda Fatio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emotional turmoil.

We first met Sam in the last instalment when he was assigned to cover-up Kit’s family killing. I found him abrasive, and insensitive to Kit situation, as a young man who just had his whole family killed and still needed to lie and paint his father in a horrible image that did not match his life. Sam was not supportive of Kit and Ellor brand new mating difficulties as he kept saying his was complicated. In this book, I was expecting Sam would work out his problems and understand why he was rejecting the bond. In the beginning, I thought it was Mark’s fault but it wasn’t. Mark may have been absent and oblivious to Sam’s suffering but it’s clear that he wanted to work out their problems. The fault was in Sam and his inability to work his issues. Even though he decided to start doing therapy, he is not honest to the counsellor, to Mark or to himself until he reached a breaking point. When Mark was attacked, I hoped it would be Sam’s turning point but, alas, I was wrong. Not sure if I agree it has a HEA when Mark gave up so much more than Sam, who didn’t give up his shifter magic or lost part of himself to the break. A HFN at most.

[☆Kylie☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This will have spoilers, a lot of spoilers so think twice before continuing :

If you had a fated mate, someone you'd love above everyone else, would you like to live without them?
Sam answer is Yes.

This book is different from the others in the series, here we meet the already mated pair Sam and Mark.
Their relationship is on its last legs because Sam feels the bound is unfair to him, he doesn't like his bound, he feels like he's never alone and that his partner abuses the bound because he sometimes takes little bursts of magic from him (without noticing).

Until then I was with Sam, your partner should never abuse the power he has over you (even tho he didn't know he was doing it), then you learn that Sam is mostly pissed because his husband used the bound without asking to save himself (and him because if he's husband dies Sam also dies and if he dies Mark dies) from a car crash, that's when the author started to lose me...

Both Mark and Sam have dangerous jobs, Mark arguably a little more and that bother Sam because if Mark dies Sam will die to and he doesn't want to die.

While that's normal, no one wants to die, Sam frames himself as a bad guy, Mark doesn't even think twice about it because he can't even think about being alive if Sam is dead but Sam does.

After that car accident Sam starts to hate their bound because the accident reminded Sam that he will die if Mark does.

The only way to break the bound is for Mark to stop being a witch (give up of his magic)and when Sam is thinking if he would give up is wolf (shifting) for his relationship the answer in his head is no, he would not.

But because we already know Mark is a better person than Sam, Mark gives up on his magic to break the bound so Sam wouldn't die if he dies (and he can no longer use Sam magic too).

Sam is such a selfish character, he only cares about himself, what he wants, what he fears, Mark is supposed to be is soulmate and he treats him like trash.
Not even once Mark make it seem their connection was a burden while Sam did that in the whole damn book.

Sorry but I can't belive Sam is a fated familiar, I just can't, the only thing Sam loves its himself

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam is a werewolf who was kicked out his old pack for being gay. He works for the Coven doing cover-up so the existence of paranormals is never exposed. He is also a familiar for Mark a witch who is also a police detective. When they first became a witch and his familiar, neither one of them wanted a mate. As a matter of fact, werewolves were frowned down on for being a familiar or mating a witch. Sam and Mark were lovers but avoided kissing because that could start the mate bond if they were destined. After a couple of years, they couldn't resist and found out they were destined mates. They got married and started a life together but recently they have been growing apart.

Sam is frustrated with Mark and his use of their bond. He keeps pulling from Sam without asking and Sam hates having Mark in his head. He can't go on with their relationship the way it is and Mark isn't listening to him. He decides to leave Mark and think about what he wants and needs. Mark is shocked when he finds that Sam has left him. He will do anything to get him back. He never realized how much magic he had been taking from Sam and is determined to change. He also realized that they were spending as much time with each other as they used too. Mark also thinks Sam is going through some PTSD between his job of covering up murderers and the accident that almost killed Mark. Mark is ready to do whatever he needs to keep Sam now that his eyes have been opened to his unhappiness. The only problem is Mark is working on a case where someone is draining witches of their magic and Mark could easily become a target.

This is a good story with an unexpected ending. Both characters love each other but happily ever after sometimes needs work. I received a copy of this story and this is my honest review.

[BookGeek1987 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new author for me, and I was interested in the blurb as it had a super interesting twist on the concept of fated mates. Most books with fated mates go down the line of ‘everything is perfect when we are together, our love conquers all…’ when actually yes, you may love each other but what if that’s not enough?

We have Sam, wolf shifter and Familiar who is married and bonded to Mark, a witch. Now fortunately we get both POV because if not I would have hated Mark. We are set up with Sam leaving Mark as he’s fed up with being used as a magical battery pack. Mark doesn’t really get the extent of the problem.

We also have a serial murder case going on as both Sam and Mark work in law enforcement. So that’s trying to be solved whilst their marriage is imploding.

I really feel for Sam as the author demonstrates his feelings and anxieties very well. Mark is pretty dense but finally gets it when Sam is like you’re abusing me - it’s 100% not intentional and there’s no domestic violence - and let’s him feel the extent of his pain via the bond.

Now both our MCs do fuck up. Sam resents the bond and has just bottled up all his feelings and that means Mark really doesn’t know the extent of Sam’s pain until he finally lets him in. By that point it’s too late.

Now, yes all the emotions were great, loved the concept. But the book is too short. Sam had two therapy sessions and then Mark is making this life changing decision, then boom, book ends. I was like huh? The last third of the book was poorly executed and I needed more of them working through things, discussing in detail, Sam getting therapy, then actually seeing their relationship working. I got 95% relationship breakdown then 5% recovery.

So 3 stars for me as sadly it just didn’t work. Loved the concept though.

[fishreads (on indefinite hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the focus of previous books in the series was two main characters finding their fated mates, The Dective's Familar takes a different approach. Unlike others only discovering the bond between them, Sam and Mark have been married and bonded for five years already.

Supposedly a gift from the Fates Sam has real issues with the bond and the way Mark uses it without his permission. But Sam's issues are much bigger than Mark using the bond without asking and he has trouble coping. I had real problems not being annoyed with Sam at certain times, while his issues were valid and Mark was not the blameless party, I hated the way Sam did not make more effort in trying to communicate with Mark. The way he kept going back and forth in what he wanted and what he didn't want also did not help me feeling more sympathetic towards him. Mark, on the other hand, was much easier to like because even when he was in the wrong, it was obvious how much Sam really meant to him and how he was willing to put him as a priority at all times after realizing he was dealing with issues.

I really enjoyed this book's different take on the theme of fated mates and I appreciated the versatility it added to this series. I also really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story with the murdered witches but I was a bit disappointed that we were left hanging at the end and that the story continues in the next book in the series. I was aware the books in the series are loosely tied together, what with Sam's appearance in The Vet's Christmas Familiar, but I did not realize this mystery will span through three books (if we're lucky).